Strictly dancing to raise cash for NSPCC

Horbury and Ossett dancers have waltzed their way to raising thousands for a child ren’s charity.

Let’s Dance for the NSPCC raised £15,000 for the charity which helps protect vulnerable children and provides ChildLine.

More than 370 people attended the Strictly Come Dancing-style event at Horbury Academy last month.

Deborah Adams, event organiser and fundraising manager for the NSPCC, said: “I am thrilled to have helped organise and host such a brilliant evening.

“I would like to thank everyone involved we even had the students from Philips Hair Academy who performed miracles for us all and made our dancers feel really special.

“We really couldn’t have done it without you and we’ve raised a fantastic amount of money for the NSPCC to help support vulnerable children and their families.”

Couples from Horbury and Ossett strutted their stuff in front of a panel of judges including Sharon Wood, of the Shepherd Theatre School, Mary Creagh MP, Coun Janet Holmes and Richard Dennett, chairman of governors at Horbury Academy.

The winning couple, Rachael Walker and Ian Cross, performed the Charleston and scored a maximum of 40 points from the judges.

Rachael said: “We have been practising for weeks and it really paid off on the night.

“We are thrilled to have won with such stiff competition from some amazing dancers. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported us.”

Last year the event raised £10,000 for the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service.

Katy Stringer, business manager of Horbury Academy, said: “We have really enjoyed being involved in the planning of the event for the second year.

“We were committed to working together with the Horbury community to deliver a show stopping event. And that it was.